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Journalism of Courage
The resignation of N Biren Singh as Manipur Chief Minister had been one of the main demands of Kuki-Zo leaders since the onset of the conflict in the state in May 2023.
In an interview to The Indian Express, Ng Lun Kipgen, the spokesperson of the Committee on Tribal Unity, an umbrella group of Kuki-Zo organisations based in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, said Biren Singh stepping down now would not amount to much in terms of accountability for the conflict, and that the Centre should show “sincerity to reinstall democratic institutions”. Excerpts:
The Kuki-Zo community was demanding that Biren Singh be held accountable and that constitutional norms be maintained. After witnessing the conflict for the past 21 months, we feel that it is not only the Chief Minister… other representatives from the Valley are not that different.
What we fear is the mindset, the fascism that has been incorporated in minds. We have not seen any of the 40 elected representatives (MLAs) from the Valley stand up and say that what has happened to the Kuki-Zo community is wrong.
We do not think it is important that Biren Singh has submitted his resignation… What is important is that the Centre is sincere enough to reinstall democratic institutions…
For the Kuki-Zo people who have moved away from Imphal — there is a geographical and physical division that has formed — the only solution is a separate political administration for our community…
The simple fact is the hatred incited within… This conflict is not only about the Kukis and Meiteis but a State institution that is centred around the Meiteis. This institution makes it impossible for the Kuki-Zos to be under it.
Not at all. There is no accountability here. It is about the Centre trying to shield Biren from the no-confidence motion which was supposed to be moved in the Assembly that the party (BJP) would have lost. They are trying to absolve themselves from this mess. By asking Biren (Singh) to resign, they have averted the no-confidence motion. We feel that this is all choreography.
The timing coincides with what the Opposition and some of the dissident BJP MLAs were planning to do. And there is the Supreme Court hearing with regard to the audio tapes in which Biren Singh can be heard talking about his role in the conflict.
I feel the Centre is unable to shield Mr Biren Singh anymore and this is the only way out. In fact, in his statement on the audio tapes, he is also implicating the Centre. So, he has been requested to resign.
President’s Rule must be imposed. Initially, we demanded the CM’s resignation and accountability. As the months have passed, it is not just about Biren. It is about the 40 MLAs that have subscribed to this narrative. Another Chief Minister from among the MLAs (who could now be chosen) will be another person from the majority community. So, President’s Rule needs to be there. At least, the State that has been militarized can be contained by Central security forces.
